Mechanism control



1953 o. R. FEEMSTER ET AL MECHANISM CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jul7, 1949 -NEF -QEH -EEH INVENTR. flay/'0 1P, Fee/wafer BY fioberf 5.H/flsey %/py&

Dec. 29, 1953 o. R. FEEMSTER ETAL MECHANISM CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed July 7, 1949 [III 412:1:-

INVENTOR. D0 r/o 7E? Bern's/er BY fate/'2 5! H/fise y Dec. 29, 1953 D.R. FEEMSTER ETAL MECHANISM CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July '7, 1949INVEN TOR. flak/'0 E- f'eemsfer BY faberv' H/msd y Patented Dec. 29,1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MECHANISM CONTROL David R. Feemster andRobert S. Hinsey, Toledo, Ohio, assignors to The 'Bingham-HerbrandCorporation, Toledo, Ohio, .a corporation of Ohio Application July 7,1949, Serial No. 103,365

15 Claims. 1

conjunction with fricti'on'clutch means forretaining the longitudinallymovable member" in adjusted position, the clutch means and member beingso constructed and arranged that rotational movement of the member inany position of longitudinal adjustment effects a release of theclutching means.

Another object of the invention resides a brake actuating and controlmeans forvehicles, the said means including a longitudinally movable.pull bar in combination with a'roller type of clutch and resilient meansfor normally urging, the clutch roller into clutching engagement withthe pull bar and wherein relative rotational movement of the pull baroperates to release the clutch roller from clutching engagement with thebar.

Another object of the invention-is the provision of mechanism actuatingmeans embodying a pull bar and friction roller clutch means. for holdingthe pull bar in any position of longitudinal adjustment, theconstruction embodying a means for releasing the clutch roller fromengagement with the bar through relativerotation of the bar whereby aminimumeffort is requiredto release the clutch means.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a pulltype brake actuating device for a vehicle embodying a longitudinallymovable member and cooperating friction clutch means for retaining themember in any position of longitudinaladjustment, the member beingnormally resiliently held against rotation in a positionto beeiiectively engaged by the clutch means and whereby partial rotationalmovement of the -member effects a release thereof.

clutch is adapted to frictionally engage a smooth surface on the bar forretaining the latter in any position of adjustment, thearrangementembody ing cam means operable upon rotational movement of the bar forwithdrawing theroller clutch from clutching engagement with the bar.Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate tothe arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevationaltview illustrating an embodiment of theinvention as utilized for actuating the parking or emergency brakes of avehicle, the mechanism" being associated with the instrument panel and.dashboard of a vehicle;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure. 3 is an enlarged elevational view showing' a portion of thebrake actuatingmechanism illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view-taken substantially on the line5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6'6 ofFigure 4;.

Figure 7'is a view similar to Figure 6 showing,

the clutch mechanism in released or declutching position;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view takensubstantially on the line9-9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 isan enlarged vertical sectional view, taken substantially on.the line ill-l 0 of Figure 1; Figurerll isa vertical sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 11-! l of Figure 1;

Figure 12 a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the linev|2|=2 of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a view similar to- Figure 1 illustrating a modified form ofthe invention;

Figure 14 is a top plan view partly in section of a portion of thestructure shown in Figure 13;. Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken substantially on the line l5-l 5 of Figure 13 ;t

Figure 16 is-an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the lineHie-l6 of Figure 13';

Figure 17 is an; end view of the manipulating handle illustrating dual.clutch releasing positions thereof, and

Figure- 18 is a view illustrating the relative fiexure of the torsionbar or link when the actuating member is rotated to brake releaseposition.

While we have illustrated the forms of the invention as particularlyusable for actuating the emergency or parking brakes of an automotivevehicle, it is to be understood that the use of the actuating device ofour invention is contemplated with any mechanism wherein the same may befound to be applicable.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the dashboard of a vehicle isindicated at IO and the instrument panel at II. The dashboard I8supports a bracket I2 through the medium of bolts I4, a lever or arm I5being pivotally connected to the bracket I2 by means of a pivot pin I6.The brake mechanism (not shown) of a vehicle is connected to the arm orlever I5 by means of a cable I1, a clevis I8 and a connecting pin I9, asuitable spring means (not shown) being associated with the vehiclebrake mechanism for normally urging the brakes to released position.

Connected to the upper end of the lever or arm I5 by means of a pin 2Iis a clevis22 to which is connected a cable 24 formed of a plurality ofsteel wires or the like. Connected to the end of the cable 24 is arectangular block 25 which is fixedly secured to the cable by swaging orindenting portions 26 of the block into the cable 24. The other end ofthe cable extends into a bore formed in an elongated rod or member 28,portions of the bar being indented as at 29 into engagement with thecable for securely fastening the cable to the rod 28. The rod or member28 provides a means for actuating or manipulating the brakes by movingthe cable or link 24, arm I5 and cable I1.

The rod 28 is mounted in a suitable guide member or support 30 forrelative rotational and longitudinally slidable movement, the support-30 being of generally elongated tubular configuration. The member 30 isprovided with laterally extending oppositely directed ear portions 3|.As particularly shown in Figures 1 through 4, escutcheon member 33 isformed with a horizontal portion 34 adapted to overlie the ear portions3| of the tube 35, both portions 3! and 34 being provided withregistering opening 35 to accommodate bolts 36 for securing an endportion of the member 30 to the instrument panel II. The escutcheonmember 33 is formed with a depending portion 38 which is provided with acircular opening bounded by an inwardly extending flange 38 throughwhich extends the rod 28, the member 38 providing a guide for the rod.The rod or bar 28 is equipped with a manipulating handle 4| which may beof metal, plastic or composition material and which is fashioned with aboss portion 42 bored to accommodate the end portion of rod 28 asparticularly shown in Figures 3 and 4. The boss portion 42 is securelyconnected to the rod by means of a transversely extending pin 43.

The housing member 30 is formed with a pair of parallel wall portions 45provided with aligned rectangularly shaped openings through whichextends a member 41 formed of hardened metal to present a hardenedclutch surface 48. The upper portions of walls .5 are formed withaligned circular openings to accommodate a headed pin 49, the oppositeend being swaged as at 50 during assembly of the mechanism. Pivotallymounted upon the pin 48 is a clutch actuating bracket or member 5|having portions 52 which lie in parallelism with and adjacent to thewalls 45 and having openings through which the pin 48 extends. In thismanner the bracket or member 5I is pivotally connected to the wallportions 45 of the housing 30.

The wall portions 45 are formed in a manner providing slots 54, thewalls of which are parallel with the plane of the stationary clutchsurface 48 of block 41 and are arranged at an acute or wedging anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the bar 28. A suitable clutchmeans is provided for frictionally or wedgingly retaining the bar 28 inany position of longitudinal adjustment of the bar. As illustrated theclutch means is in the form of an hourglass-shaped member, roller orspool 56, the curvature of the central portion 51 thereof being of acharacter to fit the cylindrical surface of bar 28 so that duringclutching or wedging engagement of the central arcuate portion of theroller with the bar a full line contact or engagement may be had betweenthese elements. The clutch roller 56 is integrally formed withprojecting cylindrical tenons 58 adapted to extend into the slots 54formed in the walls 45. As particularly shown in Figure 10, the portionsof the roller between the curved central section and the tenons 59 areof cylindrical configuration indicated at 60 adapted for engageemnt withthe rectangularly shaped block 41 forming an element of the clutchconstruction. When the clutch roller is in clutching position, thecurved surface 51 is in engagement with the bar or rod 28 and theperipheries of portions 60 are in direct engagement with the lowersurface of the block 41.

The parallel wall portions of the bracket 5I are joined by a bridge orbight portion 6| which extends through a slot or space 62 formed in thehousing or support 30. The walls of the bracket 5I are also formed withslots 63 which are angularly arranged with respect to the slots 54 inthe walls 45, the arrangement being particu-v larly illustrated inFigure 3. The tenons 59 on the roller 56 extend through the slots 54 andinto the slots 63. A resilient means in the form of a spring 55 has acentral or bight portion 65 resting against a wall of the block 41, thespring having parallel leg portions 61 terminating in transversely andoppositely extending portions 68 which overtake and engage intermediateportions of the bracket 5I as particularly shown in Figures 3 and 5. Itshould be noted that the spring or resilient means 65 is arranged toconstantly urge the bracket 5| in a clockwise direction about the axisof the supporting pin 49 thus resiliently urging the roller 58 intowedging engagement between the lower surface of the block 41 and thecylindrical exterior surface of bar 28.

The slot 62 in the support 30 is of a dimension to receive andaccommodate a cam 18. The cam member 10 is formed with a bore throughwhich extends the member or rod 28, the rod being relatively slidablethrough the cam. It should be noted that the lower portion of the rod28, as

shown in Figures 8 through 12 inclusive, has a flat or uniplanar wall 14for cooperation with a flattened interior portion 15 on the cam 10forming a non-circular connection between these elements which causesthe cam to rotate with the bar 28 when the latter is rotated. It is tobe understood that any suitable configuration of cooperating portions ofthe cam and bar may be utilized which will provide for relativeslidable- As indicated in Figure 3,

the side walls 12 or slotifl'prevent movement of the cam. lit inthedirection of theaxisofxthe rod or member 2-8 duringlongitudinalmovementsof the latter. The slots63l the parallel walls 52' are inlateralortransverse alignment so. that the clutch roller 5'!- will beengaged with bar 28 in" a direction at right angles to the-longitudinalaxis of bar 28 so that the curved central portion of the clutch roller56-wiI-l hav-ea full line engagement with the upper cylindricalsurfaceof the rod 28. In thismanner the rod 28 may be held inadj'usted positionthrough the medium of an adequate frictional engagement of the clutchroller with the bar. The member 2'8 and clutch roller 56 may be hardenedto minimize wear of these elements and assure long life of theclutchmeans.

The bar 28 is suitably guided in its longitudinal movements by thehousing or support 30, the latter being preferably formed with spacedpairs of ears l8 and 19 which are bent around the bar 28- so astoprovide a suitable guidingmeansto slidabl y'retai-n the bar 28 inproper position in the support 30. The spaced cars 13- and 19 arepositioned soas to provide adequate guiding support for the bar 28'-whenthe same is withdrawn or extended to brake setting position, as forexample, the position illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

A suitable means in the form of a flexible wire cable 24 connects thelever l5 with the actuating bar 28, andduring assembly of the mechanismthe cableis given an initial twist so as to establish a torque moment ina direction to normally and resiliently urge the Isa-r28 and handle H toan initial position of relative rotation. The upper portion of thesupport 30 is provided with alongitudinal slot 80 which providesclearance to accommodate an abutment or stop means in the form of a pin8i driven into a transverse opening in the bar 28. The edgewalls 82 and83' of the support 38' defining the slot 80- provide limiting means fordetermining the extent of the relative rotative movement of the bar 28.This arrangement of pin and slot construction is illustrated in Figures2 and 9. As particularly shown in Figure 9; the pin 6! is normallyinengagement'with the edge 83 being urged to this position under theinfluence of the initial: twist or torque set up in the cable 24'. Thesupporting mean 30 extends through a rubber grommet 85 which is fittedinto a suitable opening in the dashboard H)".

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows When thebrakes or braking mechanism of the vehicle are in released position,-the lever 15, cable 26' and actuating bar 28 are in the positionillustratedin Figures 1 and 2, these elements being urged to thisposition under the influence-of spring means (not shown) associated withthe brake mechanism. When it is desired to effect a setting of thevehicle brake mechanism, the operator or user grasps the handle member4| and exerts an outward pull or force longitudinally of the axis of thebar 28in a righthand direction as viewed in Figures 1' through 4inclusivesliding the bar relatively tothe support 3%. During thisslidable movement of bar 28, the latter passes through the opening inthe cam 19 without causing any relative movement of the cam. The spring65 engaging the bracket 5| continuously urges the clutch means or roller56 into a wedging or clutching position between the lower face of theblock and the curved cylin drical surface of the bar 28. Thus at theinstant the operator or user releases his gripupcn'the handle H theclutch roller *5! being wedged between the block 41: and the cylindricalsurface; of thebar' 28 under the. influence: or the spring. tfigaclutching engagement is: effected for securely and tri'ctionally holdingor retaining the barv 28 in brake setting"position. The outward orextendedmovement of bar 28 swings the lever 15 clockwise about the axisof the pivot. pin I16 as viewed in' Figure l which movement is transmitted to the cable or'means l1 connected to. the: brake mechanism (notshown) to actuate thelatter.

When it is desired to release the brakes, the operator oruser grasps:the" handle and rotates the handle and bar 28 in a counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Figures 8 through 12inch:- sive, the rotation ofthe bar rotating the cam 10. from the position shown in: Figure 11to-the position shown in Figuredduring whichmovement the lobe 16- of thecam engages the bridge or bight portion 6| of the bracket 51 causing thelatter to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in figures 1, 3, 6and '7 to withdraw the clutch means or roller 51' from wedgingengagement'with block- 4'1 and bar 28-. Figure 6 illustrates the clutchmeans and bracket 5| in brake; setting position with the roller 56retaining the bar 28 againstretractive movement in a right handdirection. Figure"? illustrates the position of these elements with theclutch roller 56 in released position. After relative rotation of thebar 28 to brake releasing position has taken place, the operator maythen exertan inward longitudinal force upon the bar 28 to move thelatter to brake released position, whichmovement is also facilitated by"reason of the-sprin means (not shown-) associated with thebrakemechanism tending to move-the brakes torelease position.

It should be noted that through the use of a bar 28- having a smoothuninterruptedclutching surface, the clutch means isadapted forengagement with the smooth surface of the bar and is instantly effectiveto hold the bar in any of an infinite number of positions.

Figures 13 through 18 inclusive illustrate a modified form of theinvention. As-illustrated in the drawings the sup-porter guide 30 issimilar in construction to the support 30- except' that the walls areformed into abutting relation as shown in section in Figure 15, theedges of the walls meeting as at 9!. The clutch mechanism in this formof invention is the same as that in the previously described form of theinvention as shown in detail in Figures 5; 6 and 7 and includes aclutching'means or roller 56", bracket or' clutch controlling-member 5|and a spring 65 urging the roller toward clutching engagement withactuating bar-or member 28'.

In this form-of the invention, theinner' end of bar 28' is formed with aslot 93 to snugly accommodate one end of a strip 94 of tempered orspring steel or the like, the strip being pivotally connected to the endportion of the bar 28" by means of a pin orrivet 95. Secured to theothcr end portion of the strip 94 by means or rivets 91 is a pair ofmembers 98 which together form a clevis construction adapted to beconnected to'a lever l5 by meansof a pin or bolt99. The lever t5isconnected to the brake mechanism (not shown) of a vehicle in theconventional manner.

The strip or link-94 is preferably'formed of rectangular cross sectionand is comparatively thin so that the same may be flexed or twisted on alongitudinal axis to a substantial degree as shown in Figure 1 8 withoutexceeding the elastic limit, so that when such torque or flexurestresses are removed, the strip 94 will return to its initial positionas shown in Figure 14. It is found that a strip of spring steel of aboutone thirty-second of an inch in thickness and of a width suflicient towithstand the longitudinal or tension stresses in effecting a setting ofthe vehicle brakes functions satisfactorily. It is to be understood thata strip of material of other configuration in cross section may be usedso long as the strip has sufllcient initial resiliency and flexibilityas to insure its return to a predetermined position after torsionalstresses are removed. The connecting strip or link 94 being endowed withthe characteristic of flexibly resisting torque, serves to resilientlymaintain the bar in one relative position of rotation.

This form of the invention is inclusive of a cam IOI which is fitted inthe slot I2 formed in the support 30'. The manipulating bar 28 has aflattened surface I02 and the interior wall of the cam IN is formed witha flattened portion arranged to coincide with the flat portion I02 asparticularly shown in Figure 16. The cam IOI is formed with two lobesI04 and I05 as shown in Figure 16. A clearance space I06 is providedbetween the cam and the bridge portion 6I of the bracket 5I' so thatwhen the bar 28 is in a neutral position of rotation, either lobe I04 orI05 is in engagement with the bridge portion 6 I A setting of thevehicle brakes is effected by exerting a longitudinal pull or force onbar 28 to slide the same along the support 30 in the same manner as theform of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 12, the clutch roller56' wedgingly retaining the bar 28 in adjusted position. When it isdesired to release the brake mechanism, this may be accomplished bypartial rotation of the bar 28 in either a right or left hand directionof rotation to move either lobe I04 or I05 into engagement with thebridge portion SI to oscillate the bracket SI and thus withdraw theclutch roller 56 from clutching engagement with the bar 28'. Thus if thehandle M is moved in a clockwise direction as indicated in dotted linesat I08 in Figure 17, the lobe I05 will engage and actuate bracket 5 I torelease the clutch. If the handle 4| is moved in a counterclockwisedirection to the position indicated in dotted lines at I09 in Figure 17the lobe I04 of the cam is rotated into engagement with the bridgemember BI to actuate the bracket 5| for releasing the clutch. Theoperator, upon release of the clutch 56' in the manner above described,then slides the bar 28' in a left hand direction as viewed in Figure 13which movement is communicated through the strip 94 to the lever I5 torelease the brake mechanism. Thus in this form of the invention, thenormal or neutral unfleXed position of the strip or link 94 maintainsthe bar 28' in such neutral position and resiliently resists relativerotation of the bar 28. In this modified fonn a positive abutment orstop means is unnecessary to normally maintain the bar 28 and cam IOI ina position to render the clutch roller 56' eifective to retain the barin brake set position.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

We claim:

1. A mechanism control device including, in

combination, a support; a member associated with said support andadapted for longitudinal and rotatable movement with respect thereto; aclutch roller arranged for frictional clutching engagement with saidmember and said support; means associated with said member for releasingsaid clutch roller from clutching engagement with said member; saidclutch roller releasing means being arranged to be actuated by relativerotative movement of said member.

2. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a membersupported for relative longitudinal and rotatable movement; a clutchroller arranged for frictional clutching engagement with said member;means associated with said member for releasing said clutch roller fromclutching engagement with said member; said clutch roller releasingmeans being rendered effective to release said clutch roller fromclutching engagement with said member upon relative rotative movement ofsaid member.

3. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a supporthaving a clutch surface associated therewith; a member associated withsaid support and adapted for longitudinal and rotatable movement withrespect thereto; said member being formed with a cylindrically shapedsurface; clutch means including a roller arranged for clutchingengagement with the cylindrically shaped surface of said member and theclutch surface associated with said support to retain the member inadjusted position; cam means associated with said member for disengagingsaid clutch roller from clutching engagement with said member, said cammeans being arranged to be actuated by rotation of said member withrespect to the support.

4. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a supporthaving an abutment associated therewith; a member mounted upon thesupport and adapted for longitudinal and rotatable movement with respectthereto; said member being formed with a partial cylindricalconfiguration; a manipulating handle portion associated with saidmember; clutch means arranged for clutching engagement with a surface ofsaid member and said abutment; cam means associated with said member fordisengaging said clutch means from said member and said abutment, saidcam means being arranged to be actuated by relative rotation of saidmember with respect to the support.

5. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a support; arod mounted upon said support and adapted for slidable and rotatablemovement relative thereto; a clutch roller arranged for frictionalengagement with a surface of said rod for retaining the latter inadjusted position; clutch releasing means associated with said rod; saidclutch releasing means being rendered effective to disengage the clutchroller from said rod upon rotative movement of said rod.

6. A mechan sm control device including, in combination, a support; arod mounted upon said support and adapted for slidable and rotatablemovement relative thereto; friction clutch means including roller havinga peripheral concave surface arranged for engagement with a surface ofsaid rod for retaining the latter in adjusted position; clutch releasingmeans including a cam associated with said rod; said clutch releasingcam being arranged to disengage the clutch roller from the rod uponrotation of said rod relative to said support.

7. A mechanism control device including, in

combination, a support; a rod mounted on said support; said rod beingarranged for slidable and rotative movement relative to said support; afriction clutch engageable w th said rod for retaining the latter inadjusted position; means associated with said rod for effecting releaseof the clutch upon rotative movement of said rod, and means including anelongated torsionally yieldable element connected to said rod forresisting rotational movement of said rod in either direction relativeto said support.

8. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a supporthaving an abutment; a member associated with said support; said memberbeing arranged for longitudinal and rotative movements relative to saidsupport; a friction clutch engageable with said member and said abutmentfor retaining the member in adjusted position: means assooiatedwith sa dmember for effecting release of the clutch upon rotative movement ofsaid member, and means including a torsionally flexible element fornormally retaining said member in one po ition of rotation.

9. A mechanism control dev ce including. in combination, a support; amember having a cylindrically shaped exterior surface associated withsaid support; said member being arranged for longitudinal and rotativemovement relative to said support; a clutch roller having a curvedconfiguration to .fit the cvl-ndricallv shaped surface: said clutchroller being arranged for engagement with said member for retaining thelatter in longitudinally adju ted position: means associated with andactuated by said member for effecting release of the clutch roller uponrotative movement of said member. and means for normally retairrn saidmember in one relative position of rotation.

10. A mechanism control device including, in combination. a su p rt: amember having a smooth surface portion of curved cross sectionassociated with said su port: said member being arranged for longtudinal and rotatable movements relative to said support: a clutch meansincluding a roller having a curved exterior configuration adapted toengage the curved surface of said member to frictionally retain themember in lon itudinally adjusted osition; resilient means normallyurging sa d roller into en agement with said member; associated with andactuated by said member for effecting relea e of the roller from.frictional engagement with the member upon rotati e movement of themember: and means for resiliently retaining the member in one relativeposition of rotation.

11. A mechan sm control device including, in combination. a tubularsupport; a rod mounted in said tubular support and arran ed for slidableand rotative movements relative thereto; means including a torsionallvyieldable element connecting the rod to mechanism to be actuated; saidconnecting element normally and resiliently retaining sa d rod to oneposition of rotation; friction clutch means includ ng a rollerengageable with a surface of the rod for retaining the latter inlongitudinally adjusted positions; cam means associated with said rodfor releasing said clutch means, said clutch releasing cam means beingactuated to clutch releasing position by rotative movement of said rod.

12. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a membersupported for relative longitudinal and rotative movements; means forconnecting said member to mechanism to be controlled including atorsionally flexible element;

clutch means engageable with said member adapted to retain the member ina longitudinally adjusted position; clutch releasing means operable torelease said clutch means from clutching engagement with said memberupon rotative movement of said member in either direction of rotation;said torsion-ally flexible element being arranged to resilientlymaintain said member in a position whereby said clutch means is normallyeiifective for clutching engagement with said member.

13. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a membersupported for relative longitudinal and rotative movements; means forconnecting said member to mechanism to be controlled including atorsionally flexible element of rectangular cross section; clutch meansengageable with said member adapted to retain the member in alongitudinally adjusted position; clutch releasing means for releasingsaid clutch means from clutching engagement 'with said member operableupon rotative movement or said member; said flexible element beingtorsionally yieldable to resiliently maintain said member in a positionwhereby said clutch means is normally effective for clutching engagementwith said member.

14. A mechanism control device including, in combination, a membersupported for relative longitudinal and rotative movements; means forconnecting said member to mechanism to be controlled including atorsionally flexible element; clutch means engageable with said memberadapted to retain the member in a longitudinally adjusted position;clutch releasing means including a cam associated with said memberoperable to release said clutch means from clutching engagement with themember upon rotative movement of said member in either direction ofrotation; said flexible element being torsionally yieldable toresiliently maintain said member in a position whereby said clutch meansis normally effective for clutching engagement with said member.

15. A mechanism control device including. in combination, a supporthaving an abutment, a member associated with said support, said memberbeing arranged for lon itudinal and rotative movements relative to saidsupport, a friction clutch engageable with said member and said abutmentfor retaining the member in adjusted position, means associated withsaid member for effecting release of the clutch upon rotative movementofsaid member, a torsionally flexible element having operative connectionwith said member normally retaining said member in one position ofrotation, said element being substantially coaxial with said member. I

DAVID R. FEEMSTER. ROBERT S. HINSEY.

iteferenc'es Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 1,222,915 Anderson Apr. 17, 1917 1,717,948 Stokes June18, 1929 1,719,530 Bovey July 2, 1929 2,089,586 Strobridge Aug. 10, 19372,141,266 Dickerson Dec. 27, 1938 2,170,900 Jandus et a1. Aug. 29, 19392,205,987 McCarthy June 25, 1940 2,266,058 McCarthy Dec. 16, 19412,408,446 Ralston Got. 1, 1946 2,429,383 Arens Oct. 21, 1947 2,443,697Smith June 22, 1948

